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Formerly Conjoined Twins Get to Go Home, Just in Time for the Holidays

The Delaneys were finally able to leave the hospital with their twins. Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Born connected at the head, Abby and Emily had never left the hospital.

After 485 days at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, formerly conjoined twins Erin and Abby Delaney were finally able to go home.

The 16-month-olds were surgically separated over the summer, and have been thriving ever since, their doctors say. They were born fused at the top of their heads and until their June operation, they had never seen each other's face or been able to sit upright.

The twin girls before separation surgery. - Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

They suffered brain bleeds after the surgery and were placed in medically induced comas for several weeks.

But on Monday, the girls were released and were on their way home to North Carolina, where they will sleep in their own room for the first time.

Parents Heather and Riley were over the moon.

"The girls are inspiring," their mother said. As their parents, it is very neat for Riley and me to have a front-row seat to this and watch them overcome these incredible obstacles. We cannot wait to see what their future holds!"

Erin and Abby, on their way home. - Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

The tots will need additional operations as they grow, but their surgeons and physicians say they will be fine, normal children.

"Riley and I are so grateful for the care our girls have received here and so excited to take them home, just in time for the holidays," Heather said.